Most ridiculous lawsuits in music

04 September 2012

by Poppy Reid

TMN have covered some of the most entertaining lawsuits in recent months, and as we're the self-appointed dukes of nostalgia, we've put together a list of our favourite allegations for you to poke fun at.

John Fogerty sued for plagiarising himself

In 1985 when Creedence Clearwater Revival singer John Fogerty released solo track The Old Man Down the Road, he didn’t once think he may be sued for plagiarising his own work.

In 1993, Fogerty was brought before the United States Supreme Court for copyright infringement after Fantasy Records owner Saul Zaentz claimed the track was CCR’s 1970 track Run Through the Jungle with different lyrics. Fantasy owned the rights to Run Through The Jungle and felt Fogerty was profiting of the song.

The label owner had previously sued long-time foe Fogerty for $144 million after claiming Fogerty's tracks Zanz Kant Danz and Mr. Greed painted Zaentz as “a thief, robber, adulterer, and murderer.” Fogerty settled this case out of court (because... well, it did) but the self-plagiarism case was very much laughed out of the courtroom.

Lindsay sues baby used on commercial ad campaign

Of course sporadic singer Lindsay Lohan should make this list. She’s been embroiled in many-a-lawsuit ever since she went through the wrong career/life-choices door after the excellent Mean Girls. But it wasn’t her defamation case against Pitbull (before he counter-sued), that tops her list of Most Ridiculous Efforts To Make A Buck.

In March 2010 Lohan filed a suit against E-Trade, a financial services company who’s commercial used a baby named Lindsay who was dubbed a "milkaholic." Even if E-Trade did seek the association, this case still should have been dismissed as soon as Lohan disclosed she wanted $100 million in damages. The case was settled in September with neither parties revealing the sum of their stupidity.

Avril Lavigne sued for stealing a '70s song

When Avril Lavigne was sued for plagiarising a '70s track "she's never heard of", not many people were surprised. Said to have ripped of The Rubinoos’ ’79 single I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, the Dr. Luke co-write for Girlfriend was sent to a musicologist by Lavigne's lawyers in 2008 who (surprise, surprise) found no similarities. Despite publicly claiming they wouldn't settle out of court, Lavigne's lawyers later weighed up the potential costs of a lawsuit and decided to settle after all, leaving the Canadian singer to write pop ditties about her lacklustre love life - although this song comes dangerously close to Alanis Morrisette's Head Over Feet.

Placebo album cover star blames band for his failure at life

Remember the weird 12-year-old on the cover of Placebo’s 1996 self-titled debut? Well, the now 28-year-old David Fox sued the UK band in June this year, claiming the infamy from the #5 charting album (in the UK) led to bullying and unemployment after he felt forced to drop out of school. The band have since told Fox to direct his suit at Virgin, who released the album.

Miley Cyrus sued for racism
In early 2009 Miley Cyrus took a pretty tasteless photograph with her friends, inciting one LA resident to file a $4 billion lawsuit against her. The apparent violation of “the civil rights of Asian Pacific Islanders” was filed by Lucie J. Kim who requested the then 16-year-old pop singer to give $4 million to each of the over 1.9 million Asians in Los Angeles. Cyrus did publicly apologise, but nine months later the case was dismissed.

Carey vs. Carey

Mariah Carey might have been involved in a few sex tape scandals in the past but in 2006 she fought to keep her ever-so wholesome image in tact. The pop singer sued a porn star who was working under the name Mary Carey. Ridiculously, a judge agreed the adult actress should change her name and the suit was passed.

George Harrison ‘subconsciously’ plagiarises

When George Harrison released his triple-album All Things Must Pass in 1971, a year after the dissolution of The Beatles, he proved two things: that he had a shed-load of unreleased tunes built up after years of playing third-fiddle to Lennon and McCartney–understandable when you have the greatest songwriting team in history–and that he had definitely, definitely heard The Chiffons 1963 hit She's So Fine. Bright Tunes Music Corporation certainly agreed, filing a suit alleging that Harrison had plagiarised the tune in his single My Sweet Lord... twice - in the bridge and in the verse. Basically, he stole the whole thing. The case took five years to go to trial, and dragged out for ten years after the verdict (lesson: don't sue a Beatle), but a judge ruled that Harrison was guilty of "subconscious plagiarism" - a fairly rubbish ruling, considering the marked similarity. Being a Beatle, Harrison simply avoided all the bother by purchasing Bright Tunes, and therefore the song. S'pose you didn't hear James Taylor's Something In The Way She Moves when it was released on your own label, either George? He was always the subconscious Beatle...

Mother sues Justin Bieber for damaging her hearing

A mother who took her daughter to the singer’s Oregon gig in July 2010 is requesting $9.23 million in damages. Stacey Wilson Betts alleges Bieber “enticed the crowd into a frenzy of screams,” damaging her hearing. While we’re sure Biebs did in fact entice the crowds into frantic, eardrum-bursting bubbles of tween hysteria, we’re also banking on the fact mother Stacey Wilson Betts hasn’t been to a live concert since ’83 when she [allegedly] threw her bra onstage at a Jimmy Osmond concert. [speaking of potential lawsuits]

Jim Morrison’s parents sue remaining members of The Doors

In 2003, the parents of Jim Morrison filed a trademark suit against the remaining members of The Doors. Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger had been mourning Jim’s loss since 1971, and they, like many bands who lose a member at their prime, decided the most tasteful way to pay tribute to their departed friend was by touring with a new frontman (The Cult’s Ian Astbury) - in this case, under the name The Doors of the 21st Century.

 

"Defendants have knowingly, intentionally and maliciously misappropriated and infringed upon the valuable name and logo of the Doors,” the suit read, "by stealing these valuable property rights and employing them for the purpose of naming, promoting and marketing a new band."

To make matters even more convoluted, the parents of Morrison's (Val Kilmer) late wife, Pam Courson (Meg Ryan) also got in on the suit and unfortunately had every right to, because of their 25% ownership stake of the estate. After the case went to trial in 2005 it was ruled that the Morrison estate won a permanent injunction preventing Manzarek (Kyle McLachlan) and Krieger using the name (they now play under 'Riders Of The Storm'). While The Doors were only actively recording for five years with the self-appointed Lizard King at the helm, The Doors have sold over 49 million records since his death. The poetry books have sold more modestly...